Mindfulness and compassion are not just tools for our own self-evolution.

They may just be the very tools we need to heal the myriad troubles of our times.

Mindfulness is a practice of becoming aware of our thoughts and actions and noticing when our behaviors are causing harm to self or others. Compassion is a practice of offering kindness towards self and others.

It is easy to offer compassion to those whom we love and agree with. It is much more difficult and takes more strength to have compassion for people we feel animosity towards. These ancient wisdom practices can help us to navigate the struggles and pains of life, and hopefully they help us to reduce the harm we might cause in the world.

I want to share a special book that was shared with me in a recent Sangha gathering (thanks, Charleigh ) that emphasizes the importance of these two practices as tools towards healing ourselves and our planet: Heart to Heart, A Conversation on Love and Hope for our Precious Planet, by His Holiness The Dalai Lama and Cartoonist Patrick McDonnell.

You likely know of His Holiness The Dalai Lama, but you may not be familiar with Patrick McDonnell unless you were a fan of the adorable Mutts comics series. Heart to Heart offers the loving words and wisdom of the Dalai Lama, and is beautifully illustrated by Patrick McDonnell. McDonnell has an extraordinary talent for capturing the spirit and joy of animals and nature through simple illustration.

Loving compassion is a way of being that we can all practice. It is essential to remember to be kind to all, whenever possible–and that it is always possible if we are willing to make the effort. It starts with being kind to ourselves and then spiraling that kindness out towards all beings and objects around us. The Dalai Lama and McDonnell help us to understand that the core of our current environmental distress is rooted in a lack of compassion and kindness for self, others, and the other-than-human world.

You can purchase the book from Thriftbooks or order it through your local bookstores.

Below is an excerpt of the Shantideva prayer shared in the book:

May I become at all times, both now and forever,

A protector for those without protection

A guide for those who have lost their way

A ship for those with oceans to cross

A bridge for those with rivers to cross

A sanctuary for those in danger

A lamp for those without light

A place of refuge for those who lack shelter

And a servant to all in need.

For as long as space endures,

And for as long as living beings remain,

Until then may I, too, abide

To dispel the misery of the world.

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May all beings everywhere be happy and free.

Angie

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More quotes on Kindness and Compassion

“Earl: Augh! They're trying to take the wolf off the endangered list .
​Mooch: I know. But did you hear what they're putting back on the endangered list? Earl: What? Mooch: Empathy and compassion.”― Patrick McDonnell

“Sometimes it takes only one act of kindness and caring to change a person’s life.” – Jackie Chan

“Do things for people not because of who they are or what they do in return, but because of who you are.” – Harold S. Kushner

“Carry out a random act of kindness, with no expectation of reward, safe in the knowledge that one day someone might do the same for you.” – Princess Diana